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Military Courtesy 

By 

MAJOR THEODORE L. BAILEY 
U. S. A. 



COPYRIGHT 1919 

BY 

REVIEW PUBLISHING CO, 
NEW YORK 



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APR 15 1919 

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FOREWORD 

The necessity for a treatise on 
Military Courtesy must be obvious 
to all who remember that this nation 
has not hitherto been a military 
one to which the forms and cere- 
monies of army life have been made 
familiar by the existence of standing 
armies much larger than our own 
and therefore more influential in 
moulding the manners of the peo- 
ple, as is the case in most European 
countries. 

Foreigners traveling in the United 
States have often commented upon a 
tendency here to regard discourtesy 
as a foible of minor importances 
which could easily be atoned for by 
the presence of what are called more 
solid qualities. 

It is therefore not surprising that 
5 



6 FOREWORD 

with such an idea so widely diffused 
as it seems to be among our people, 
the sudden transference of men from 
civil to military life with its neces- 
sary discipline in manners as well as 
in other respects, should find among 
the newly-made soldiers many who 
do not take kindly to this feature of 
the army regulations. The fact that 
General Pershing was obliged to ex- 
plain that a salute to an officer is not 
a symbol of servitude but of loyalty 
is sufficient to show that military 
courtesy, like good manners, is not 
always innate in a man but must be 
taught him by discipline if he lacks 
it when he enters the service. 



MILITARY COURTESY 

By Major Theodore L. Bailey, 
U. S. A. 

COURTESY is closely allied to 
Customs and Ideals of the Ser- 
vice, Morale, Esprit de Corps, and 
Discipline. Together they produce 
efficiency and success. Napoleon said 
that of all the elements that went to 
make up battle efficiency in an army, 
75 per cent of such elements was 
Morale, and by morale he meant 
that esprit de corps which is instilled 
into an army by discipline and mili- 
tary courtesy. 

Army Regulations (Par. 4) state: 
"Courtesy among military men is 
indispensable to discipline." 

The most familiar symbol of mili- 
tary courtesy is the salute; and it 
is interesting to note that when the 
salute was largely abandoned in the 
7 



8 MILITARY COURTESY 

-Russian Army, discipline and fight- 
ing efficiency disappeared at the 
same time. 

What is Military Courtesy? It 
consists not only of the many forms 
prescribed by regulations and cus- 
toms of the service, but also of the 
many little courtesies of civil life, 
such as removing your hat when you 
enter an office, mess hall, or club, ris- 
ing when a senior enters your office, 
offering him a chair, and stepping 
aside and permitting the senior to 
precede you in leaving or entering 
a room. 

Army Regulations prescribe 
(Par. 4) : 

"Respect to superiors will not be 
confined to obedience on duty, but 
will be extended on all occasions." 
and Par. 406, Sub. 6: 

"As a rule juniors will give way to 
seniors, and at all times juniors will 
show deference to their seniors and 
will not ignore their presence." 

Military men are required to be 



MILITARY COURTESY 9 

especially punctilious about the little 
amenities of civil social life, and 
not to forget or omit them because 
they have become soldiers. 

Why is Military Courtesy consid- 
ered so important? Because it is 
the oil which lubricates the military 
machine, and also the oil which 
calms what might sometimes be the 
turbulent waters of relations be- 
tween military men. It also helps 
to create discipline and esprit de 
corps. 

Brigadier General R. K. Evans 
has recently said in a General Order : 

"Owing to the present state of 
flux of the Army due to shifting 
and new personnel, it is incumbent 
on commanding officers of all degrees 
to carefully enforce all provisions 
of Army Regulations and Customs of 
the Service regarding military court- 
esy. Laxity in the observance of 
courtesies is indicative of poor dis- 
cipline and make for a less smooth 
and efficient performance of duty. 



10 MILITARY COURTESY 

"In bringing the observance of 
courtesies to the high standard de- 
manded by military discipline, 
friendly counsel to junior officers 
will be the greatest factor. No offi- 
cer should resent the advice of super- 
iors as to social conduct and the 
observance of courtesies any more 
than he would having explained to 
him the manner of performance of 
some official duty of which he lacked 
knowledge. The efficient perform- 
ance of official duties and due ob- 
servance of courtesies go hand in 
hand to complete the high standard 
required of officers." 

HISTORY 

The origin of Military Courtesy 
dates back to the Order of Knight- 
hood in the eleventh century. Al- 
though, tp give the devil his due, 
it is said that the Knights inherited 
this virtue from the Germanic 
Tribes. 

When the prospective Knight went 



HISTORY 11 

to his training camp he was only- 
seven to nine years old, and instead 
of spending two or three months in 
training, he devoted about twelve 
years to perfecting himself in the 
arts of a soldier. During this time 
he was called not a "cadet" or "can- 
didate" but a "novice" in chivalry. 
He was taught (1) skill in arms, (2) 
fearlessness, (3) truth and honor, 
and (4) last but not least — courtesy. 
He was trained to be chivalrous to 
women, kind and gentle to the aged, 
weak, and infirm. When the novice 
proved himself to be a gentleman 
and a soldier and to be worthy of 
his commission, he was "dubbed" a 
Knight. He then promised (1) to 
be loyal, (2) to protect women, 
children, the aged and the infirm, 
(3) never to lie or utter slander, 
and (4) to live in harmony with his 
equals. 

It is extremely embarrassing for a 
small boy when he first attends a 
formal reception. He does not know 



12 MILITARY COURTESY " 

what to do. A military man just 
entering the service may be similarly 
embarrassed. The following sugges- 
tions will help you: 

IN GENERAL. 

When walking or riding with 
seniors, place yourself on their left 
(A. R. 406, Sub. 6) and keep step 
with them. If you be an enlisted 
man, walk on the left and one pace 
to the rear of an officer. Reviews 
and ceremonies may constitute an 
exception to this rule. In reviewing 
troops the reviewing officer places 
himself on the right of his guests 
regardless of his or their rank. (I. 
D. R. 711 et seq.) 

If you be an officer and send an 
orderly with a verbal message to an 
officer equal in rank or junior to 
you, instruct your orderly to say: 
"Captain presents his com- 
pliments to Lieutenant and 

wishes Lieutenant to," etc. 

But if you are a junior sending a 



IN GENERAL 13 

message to a senior do not have your 
compliments presented. 

The use of the word "wish" brings 
up the matter of courtesy that may 
be shown you by your superiors. 
Should your superior officer express 
a wish or desire that you perform 
a certain act, his wish or desire is 
tantamount to a command. This 
matter has been reaffirmed in a 
recent court martial proceeding. If 
your superior officer "invites your 
attention" to a new order or regula- 
tion just promulgated, there is no 
string attached to such expression. 
But should you fail to observe such 
regulation your superior may "call 
your attention" to such regulation, 
and such expression is admonitive 
in character. 

In addressing an officer, or, if 
you be a Lieutenant, a superior, 
never forget that the first word 
should be "Sir" upon any and all 
occasions. That little word marks 
the soldier. Should you offer your 



14 MILITARY COURTESY 

superior the newspaper, do not say: 
"Captain Smith, would you like to 
see the paper?" but "Sir, would the 
Captain like to see the paper?" Al- 
ways be impersonal in opening a 
conversation. If you write to the 
Commandant, do not address, "Major 

," but "The Commandant." 

Address the office and not the in- 
dividual. 

Except in the field, under cam- 
paign or simulated campaign con- 
ditions, a mounted officer or soldier 
dismounts before addressing a super- 
ior officer not mounted. (A. R. 383, 
Sub. 4). Through evolution the 
motorcycle and automobile have 
largely supplanted the horse, but the 
above rule should be applied to an 
officer or man riding on a motorcycle 
or -in an automobile. 

A Second Lieutenant is sometimes 
addressed socially as "Mister," but 
a First Lieutenant usually as "Lieu- 
tenant." First and Second Lieuten- 
ants of the Medical Corps are often 



PERSONAL APPEARANCE 15 

addressed socially as "Doctor." But 
a medical Captain or superior is 
addressed by his military title. All 
officers are addressed officially by 
their military titles. 

Never criticize superiors. (A. R., 
Par. 5.) 

PERSONAL APPEARANCE. 

Be careful about your personal 
appearance. See that your uniform 
is clean and neat. Read your uni- 
form Regulations and Orders affect- 
ing uniforms and conform strictly 
to them. I have seen during a rain- 
storm, a First Lieutenant walking 
down the street carry an opened um- 
brella. I am glad to say that he was 
not an officer in the Air Service. 

I have also noticed line officers 
with their blouses and overcoats un- 
buttoned. One Lieutenant in forma- 
tion, but in the line of file closers, 
had both hands in his breeches 
pockets. These things are not done. 



16 MILITARY COURTESY 

They lack smartness and are un- 
military. 

Remember the advice Polonius 
gave to his son who was about to 
depart for France: (Hamlet, Act 1, 
Scene III.) 

"Costly thy habit as thy purse 

can buy 
But not expressed in fancy: 

rich, not gaudy: 
For the apparel oft proclaims 

the man; 
And they in France, of the best 

rank and station, 
Are most select and generous, 
chief in that." 
And the rest of Polonius' advice is 
worth reading and taking to heart. 

In a communication to Divisional 
and Department Commanders, the 
War Department has said of dress : 
"All commanders are further 
enjoined to vigorously suppress all 
slovenliness of personal dress and 
the wearing of uniform outer cloth- 
ing'. Uniformity of dress through- 



PERSONAL APPEARANCE 17 

out a command is absolutely 
essential to discipline. . . . One 
inspector aptly states: 'When a 
command is seen, some in cam- 
paign hats, some in canvas caps, 
some in Red Cross helmets, some 
in stocking caps, and some in com- 
binations of these different arti- 
cles, all in the same organization, 
the effect is ruinous to smartness, 
and hence to discipline/ " 
The experience of the British 
Army in the present war is of 
interest. At first the men had the 
best of discipline. Their bright brass 
buttons, however, attracted the un- 
due attention of German snipers, and 
the order was given to blacken their 
buttons. 

Immediately dingy, rusty buttons, 
were seen among English troops, and 
the soldiers were given their first 
taste of slovenliness. Soon the men 
were not keeping their shoes shined, 
and it finally resulted in their going 
dirty about their persons. 



18 MILITARY COURTESY 

The cause of the failure of the 
troops to show up in efficient form 
was traced and it was found that 
the button order was at the back 
of it all. When this order was 
rescinded the English troops became 
more cleanly and there was a cor- 
responding increase in discipline and 
efficiency. 

ADDRESSING SUPERIORS AND 
REPORTING. 

If you wish to ask an officer a 
question, salute and say, "Sir, private 
Smith requests permission to ask 
the Captain a question." Whether 
you be enlisted or commissioned, 
never forget to prefix all remarks to 
a superior by that word, "Sir," which 
stamps the soldier. Do not forget 
to state your name so that the senior 
may know with whom he is speak- 
ing. While talking with a senior 
be careful to maintain the position 
of a soldier. 

You have the right to see the 



ADDRESSING SUPERIORS 19 

Commanding Officer about any mat- 
ter which is of sufficient moment. 
But you must first obtain permis- 
sion. If the Commanding Officer 
sends for you, ask the Adjutant if 
you may enter the Commanding Offi- 
cer's office at that time. 

In reporting to any officer, if the 
door of his room be shut, knock twice, 
walk in a military manner to a posi- 
tion squarely in front of his desk 
and about four feet distant. Click 
your heels and stand at attention 
until the officer is through with his 
writing or other work. Then, and 
not till then,v salute and say, "Sir, 
private Smith reports as ordered." 
The officer will return your salute 
and give you instructions. During 
this time stand in the position of the 
soldier, in every detail as prescribed 
by Par. 51, I. D. R. Then salute 
again, about face or right or left 
face, as the circumstances require, 
and walk out of the office in a mili- 
tary manner. 



20 MILITARY COURTESY 

When you have received your com- 
missions as lieutenants and are as- 
signed for duty to a post, you will 
receive orders directing you to 
"report for duty to commanding offi- 
cer" of that post. You will proceed 
without delay and by the shortest 
route to destination. You first report 
to the Adjutant and present a copy 
of your orders. You also ask the 
Adjutant when you should report to 
the commanding officer. Also ask 
the Adjutant about the uniform then 
prescribed for officers at that post 
(in which you should report) and 
also whether or not you should report 
with hat on and wearing side arms. 
(Uniform Reg. par. 55(c). Should 
side arms be required (which is not 
probable) you can always borrow 
them for the purpose of reporting. 
Remember that whenever side arms 
are worn indoors, the hat is never 
removed. In reporting to the Com- 
manding Officer say, "Sir, Lieutenant 
Smith reports for duty," and present 



ADDRESSING SUPERIORS 21 

a copy of your orders to him. 
Also ask the Adjutant if it is 
customary at your post to make the 
prescribed social call on the Com- 
manding Officer. (A. R., 406 and 
407.) 

While traveling, and at all other 
times, an officer does not ignore the 
presence of seniors. Introduce your- 
self to them, saying, "Sir, Lieutenant 
Smith of the 143rd Aero Squadron." 
In conversation, a junior never in- 
terrupts a superior. 

At mess, juniors do not monopolize 
the conversation, nor do they take 
seats or rise before their superior 
officer. Officers are expected to be 
especially attentive to good table 
manners. 

The following story has been told 
abroad of American Flyers: 

"A member of the American 
Flying Corps had to make a pre- 
cipitate descent and was fortunate 
enough to come down at a 
British aerodrome behind the lines, 



22 MILITARY COURTESY 

not, however, without mixing up 

things a bit. 

"After rescuing himself from 

the tangle of wires, he limped 

slowly to an officer. 

" 'Are you the big noise of this 

joint?' he asked. 

" 'I am the commanding officer, 

if that has anything to do with 

it/ was the reply. 

" 'Well/ said the American, 'I 

just looked in to tell you I have 

spread the petrol tank on your 

grass plot/ " 

While that is a good story, it has, 
of course, no foundation in fact, as 
American Aviators, like the Air Ser- 
vice men of all the allied armies, are 
the best disciplined soldiers in the 
world, and punctilious in the observ- 
ance of Military Courtesy. It will 
be your pleasure and duty to sustain 
the traditions of the Air Service, and 
see to it that such stories in the 
future, as well as in the past, have 
no foundation in fact. 



THE SALUTE 23 

NATIONAL ANTHEM. 

When our National Anthem, To 
the Colors, or To the Standard, are 
played, all officers and men in uni- 
form and covered but not in forma- 
tion stand at attention facing the 
music (except at retreat, when they 
face the flag) and salute on the first 
note, holding the salute till the last 
note. If uncovered, they do not salute 
at all, but remain at attention 
through the playing of the piece. (A. 
R. 378 as changed by C. A. R. 59.) 

Upon all official occasions the same 
respect is paid to the National Air 
of a foreign country. (A. R. 378.) 

THE SALUTE. 

The salute has received a great 
deal of attention from General 
Pershing. He has said: 

"When I tell a man to stand up 
before me in military position, 
with his heels together, I am not 
debasing him, but lifting him up 



24 MILITARY COURTESY 

to the dignity of the military pro- 
fession. 

"There is a silent mutual under- 
standing between the officer and 
the man when the salute is given; 
the two are expressing the senti- 
ment that they belong to a great 
institution, whose spirit they rec- 
ognize. When my officers come 
before me they stand at attention 
in the same spirit. I return the 
salute of a private exactly as I 
return the salute of an officer; the 
principle is the same and the re- 
lation is the same ; and my officers 
are as punctilious in returning the 
salute of a soldier as in giving 
the salute to me. 

"The man who salutes me does 
not recognize himself as a lower 
being, but is expressing his respect 
and loyalty to me and to our coun- 
try." 
And again in General Orders to 
the American Expeditionary Forces: 

"The importance of saluting has 



ORIGIN OF THE SALUTE 25 

never been properly impressed up- 
on our officers and men. Every 
soldier should have carefully ex- 
plained to him the meaning of 
this salute and the importance of 
properly saluting, especially the 
officers of the allied armies. This 
also applies to field clerks and 
civilian employes in uniform. 
Officers will be most punctilious 
about saluting their superiors and 
returning the salute of the enlisted 
men." 

So you see, the salute is not a 
mark of inferiority, but it is the 
silent manner in which brothers in 
arms greet each other in every day 
life. 

ORIGIN OF THE SALUTE. 

There are many different accounts 
of the origin of the salute. It pro- 
bably originated with the knights. 
When knights in armor met, it was 
customary for the stranger or junior 
knight to raise his hand and lift the 
vizor of his casque in order to be 



26 MILITARY COURTESY 

recognized. The custom has sur- 
vived the ages down to the present, 
and its long use shows that it must 
be of importance in a military sense. 

THE HAND SALUTE. 

As a preliminary to the hand 
salute, we must acquire the position 
of the soldier as prescribed in I. D. 
R., par. 51. When immobile, such 
paragraph must be executed in its 
entirety. In bringing your heels to- 
gether, snap them together with a 
click. When walking, we must have 
the position of the soldier before 
saluting, in so far as the continua- 
tion of the walk will permit. So 
study and acquire the position of the 
soldier as a necessary preliminary to 
the salute. Never salute with left 
hand in the pocket or behind the 
back, and don't salute, as I have 
noticed a Lieutenant saluting, with 
his pipe in his mouth. Remove pipe, 
cigar or cigarette to the left hand 
before saluting. 



THE HAND SALUTE 27 

You have read I. D. R., par. 58 
(Sig. Corps D. R., par. 75) prescrib- 
ing the hand salute, and you have 
been taught the hand salute on the 
drill field. Now let us analyze that 
paragraph. 

"Raise the right hand smartly." 
That means that those of us who 
were in the service when the left 
hand as well as the right was used 
must reform our habit and discon- 
tinue the use of the left hand. The 
word "smartly" means that we must 
put snap and pep into the salute. An 
excellent way of raising the hand 
smartly is to first raise the elbow to 
the desired height and then snap the 
hand into position : 

"till the top of the forefinger 
touches the lower part of the head- 
dress or forehead above the right 
eye." 
Many men raise the hand too high, 
and others do not raise it high 
enough. If your hat is properly 
placed on your head with the brim 



28 MILITARY COURTESY 

exactly parallel to the ground, and 
you raise your hand till the tip of 
the forefinger touches the brim of 
the hat, you will have the correct 
height for the hand. See to it that 
your hand is not in the center of 
your forehead, but off to the right, 
and "above the right eye." Your 
hand will not then obscure your face 
or eyes. Never hold the hand over 
your face or eyes when saluting. 

"Thumb and fingers extended and 
joined." 
Do not salute with fingers sprawled 
nor with fingers artistically poised 
as though holding a cup of afternoon 
tea nor with hand bent almost 
double, as some officers and men 
long in service are wont to do. The 
hand should be flat and straight. 

"Palm to the left." 
The palm should not be turned out 
in the way foreign soldiers salute, 
nor should it be turned in as is done 
by some officers and men long in our 
own service. 



THE HAND SALUTE 29 

"Forearm inclined at about 45°." 
That little word "about"' has been 
inserted advisedly. If we are pass- 
ing a senior standing directly to the 
right of us, it is necessary to slightly 
raise the elbow in order that our 
face will not be obscured. A com- 
mon mistake of the recruit is that 
he does not raise his elbow high 
enough, and does not approximate 
the angle of 45°. 

"Hand and wrist straight." 
A perfectly straight line should run 
from the tips of the fingers to the 
point of the elbow. 

"At the same time look toward the 
person saluted." 
This is one of the most important 
and at the same time most sinned 
against of all the saluting command- 
ments. You have seen your com- 
pany commander salute the review- 
ing officer at Parade every evening. 
Emulate his example and execute 
eyes right or left as the occasion re- 
quires and at the same time turn your 



30 MILITARY COURTESY 

head, whenever you salute an officer. 
Do not hold your neck stiff. Turn 
the head easily and far enough until 
you look the officer squarely in the 
eyes. 

"Drop the arm smartly by the 
side." 
The word "smartly" means that this 
last movement, like the first, must be 
executed with snap. The arm and 
hand are to be brought down in one 
snappy movement all the way to the 
side. Don't hitch or hesitate or 
make two movements of it. Some 
of the soldiers and officers ac- 
customed to the old salute still make 
this mistake. 

HAND SALUTE — COMMON MISTAKES. 

There are at least eight common 
mistakes in rendering the hand 
salute. 

Mistake No. 1. The salute is not 
rendered in every detail as pre- 
scribed by paragraph 58 I. D. R. 

Mistake No. 2. The salute is 



THE HAND SALUTE 31 

avoided. I have seen men cross the 
street or turn into a tent or barracks 
in order to avoid a salute. Remem- 
ber that the salute is a privilege 
peculiar to military men, and that 
prisoners, and for that matter, civil- 
ians, are denied that privilege. Gen- 
eral Pershing has said: 

"The salute is not a symbol of 
servitude, but of loyalty. It means 
'I am a soldier, I recognize you as 
a soldier, and I follow where you 
lead.' As a young man I have 
often gone considerably out of my 
way to salute officers for whom I 
had a great respect. I remember 
when I was at West Point, and 
General Sherman used to come, all 
the cadets would wait, sometimes 
an hour or more, where we thought 
he might pass, so as to have the 
honor of saluting him." 
Mistake No. 3. The head is bowed. 
Do not bring the head down to meet 
the hand. Hold the head erect. If 
anything, tip the head slightly back, 



32 MILITARY COURTESY 

so as to present a very proud appear- 
ance, and show to everyone that you 
are proud to belong to the Brother- 
hood of Arms, and proud to be a 
member of the Air Service of the 
United States Army. In a recent 
communication of the War Depart- 
ment, sent to all Divisional and De- 
partment Commanders, it is said 
relative to the salute: 

"This phase of the soldier's 
training must be considered vital, 
instead of casual or incidental, and 
the individual should not be classed 
as proficient until he can perform 
the act of saluting with the bear- 
ing and look of pride that are so 
vitally necessary to the accomplish- 
ment of the real salute." 
Mistake No. 4. The salute is not 
rendered soon enough. If a senior 
is about to pass close to you, salute 
at about six paces. Some men do 
not salute at this proper distance 
because they fear they may have to 
exert themselves to hold the salute 



THE HAND SALUTE 33 

until the senior has passed. You 
will find, however, that the senior 
will promptly return your salute, and 
thus release you from further exer- 
tions. If he does not do so, you 
will have the satisfaction of having 
done your duty, though he may neg- 
lect his. 

Mistake No. 5. The salute is not 
held till returned. The recruit espe- 
cially is apt to bring his hand to 
salute and then drop it again before 
the officer has returned the salute. 
Hold the salute until it is either 
returned or until it is obvious that 
the officer has not seen you. 

Mistake No. 6. The soldier is 
absent minded and does not see the 
officer or colors to be saluted. Lord 
Chesterfield says of the absent- 
minded person: 

"An absent-minded man is com- 
monly either a very weak, or a 
very affected man; but be he 
which he will, he is, I am sure, 
a very disagreeable man in com- 



34 MILITARY COURTESY 

pany. For my own part, I would 
rather be in company with a dead 
man than with an absent one; 
for if the dead man give me no 
pleasure, at least he shows me 
no contempt, whereas, the absent 
man, silently indeed, but very 
plainly, tells me that he does not 
think me worth his attention." 
So don't be absent minded. And 
if the officer is within saluting dis- 
tance, which is that within which 
recognition is easy, say 30 paces, 
render the salute. (A. R., par 384, 
Sub. 1.) Therefore, if you are pass- 
ing an officer on the other side of 
the street, and the distance is not 
over 30 paces, and recognition is 
easy, salute him. 

Mistake No. 7. The position of 
the soldier is not taken. Stand erect 
with chest out and shoulders down 
and back when saluting. If immo- 
bile, have heels together, left hand at 
the side and in all respects conform 
to the position of the soldier as 



THE HAND SALUTE 35 

prescribed by par. 51, I. D. R. 

Mistake No. 8. When immobile, 
the soldier does not turn his face 
toward the office before saluting. (A. 
R. 382, Sub. 3.) 

To summarize, observe these salut- 
ing don'ts. When you salute. 

1. Don't have a slouchy appear- 
ance. 

2. Don't have your coat unbut- 
toned. 

3. Don't have your hat tipped back 
or on one side of your head. 

4. Don't be in any position other 
than the position of the soldier (un- 
less in motion). 

5. Don't have your left hand in 
your pocket. 

6. Don't have a pipe, cigar or 
cigarette in your mouth, or in the 
right hand. 

7. Don't face away from the per- 
son saluted. 

8. Don't bow the head. 

9. Don't wait too long before 
saluting. 



36 MILITARY COURTESY 

10. Don't bring your hand down 
before the salute is returned. 

11. Don't be absent minded and 
thus neglect the salute. 

12. Don't raise the hand lacka- 
daisically and without pep. 

13. Don't raise the hand too high 
or too low. 

14. Don't hold the right hand in 
front of the center of the forehead. 

15. Don't turn the palm out. 

16. Don't turn the palm in. 

17. Don't have fingers sprawled 
or bent. 

18. Don't bend hand. 

19. Don't bend wrist. 

20. Don't detach thumb from 
other fingers. 

21. Don't keep elbow down by 
the side. 

22. Don't look straight ahead, un- 
less the person saluted is squarely 
in front of you. 

23. Don't bring the arm down 
slowly and without pep. 



SALUTE— IN GENERAL 37 

24. Don't jerk or check the hand 
in its downward movement to the 
side. 

SALUTE — IN GENERAL. 

The discipline and efficiency of any 
organization is surely determined 
from the character of the salute of 
the individuals composing such or- 
ganization. The Air Service is proud 
of its discipline and efficiency, and 
proud of its superior salute. We 
want you to absorb quickly the ideals 
and traditions of the Air Service and 
show by your snappy and proud 
salute, that you appreciate the priv- 
ilege of belonging to that honorable 
service. Then, when you mingle on 
the streets with men of other organ- 
izations, you can readily be identified 
by the smartness of your salute as 
a member of the Air Service, with- 
out reference to your hat cords or 
insignia. Then the officers of other 
organizations will come and ask the 
officers of this School how such fine 



38 MILITARY COURTESY 

discipline and smartness were ac- 
quired by our men. 

Salute all officers of the Army, 
Navy and Marine Corps. (A. R. 
392^). Also salute foreign officers. 
(A. R. 376.) 

Salute officers when walking in 
the same direction and they over- 
take and pass you, or you pass them. 
By "officers" I mean commissioned 
officers; by "enlisted men," privates 
and non-commissioned officers. 

Commissioned officers accompany 
their salute to other officers with a 
word of greeting. Officers always 
salute each other when meeting out 
of doors. (A. R. 381.) Officers must 
return the salute of enlisted men. 
(A. R. 383, Sub. 3.) 

Enlisted men salute when they 
address, or are addressed by an offi- 
cer; and salute again when the con- 
versation is finished. (A. R. 382, 
Sub. 4.) 

If enlisted men or junior officers 
are seated, upon the approach of a 



SALUTE— IN GENERAL 39 

senior or the uncased colors, the first 
one perceiving the officer or colors 
calls "attention/' and they all rise, 
face toward the officer or colors, and 
salute. (A. R. 382, Sub. 2.) If 
standing, they face toward the offi- 
cer or colors, come to attention with 
click of the heels, and salute. (A. 
R. 382, Sub. 3.) 

The salute prescribed for officers 
is identical with that prescribed for 
enlisted men. There is only one 
salute prescribed for both. (A. R. 
383, Sub. 3, and 385, Sub. 2.) 

When you have received your com- 
mission, be over particular to set 
an example to enlisted men and 
return the salute accurately and 
smartly. If the enlisted man renders 
you a smart salute, he is entitled to 
a smart and correct salute in return. 
Remember the story about Lord 
Chesterfield, who, while walking with 
a friend, passed a blackleg who 
tipped his hat to Chesterfield. 
Chesterfield, in return, bowed much 
lower and lifted his hat more decor- 



40 MILITARY COURTESY 

ously. Chesterfield's friend remarked, 
"My Lord, do you bow to such a 
fellow?" Chesterfield replied, "Sir, 
am I to be outdone in politeness by 
a notorious blackleg?" 

I do not mean that the enlisted 
man is of lower social standing than 
the officer. He is not. He is the 
equal of the highest commanding 
general. He is simply junior in 
rank, and placed under the authority 
of the officer for the purpose of 
military organization, discipline, effi- 
ciency and success in war. 

When an officer entitled to the 
salute passes in rear of a body of 
troops, it is brought to attention 
while he is opposite the post of the 
commander. (A. R. 384, Sub. 2.) 

Commanders of detachments or 
other commands will salute officers 
of higher grade, by first bringing 
the unit to attention and then salut- 
ing. If the person saluted is of a 
junior or equal grade the unit need 
not be at attention in the exchange 
of salutes. (A. R. 387, Sub. 1.) 



SALUTE — IN GENERAL 41 

If two detachments or other com- 
mands meet, their commanders will 
exchange salutes, both commands be- 
ing at attention. (A. R. 387, Sub. 2.) 

During the playing of the National 
Anthem or "To the Colors" or "To 
the Standard" at parades and cere- 
monies, if under arms, the command 
shall render the prescribed salute, 
but if not under arms, the command 
shall be brought to attention and re- 
main at attention during the playing 
of the air, the hand salute being 
rendered by the officer in command. 
(A. R. 390.) 

When several officers are together 
and are saluted they all return the 
salute. The old rule whereby only 
the senior returned the salute has 
been abrogated. (A. R. 383, Sub. 3.) 

Whenever the uncased colors pass, 
all men not in formation salute when 
the colors have approached to within 
about six paces and hold the salute 
until the colors have passed. (A. 
R. 377.) 



42 MILITARY COURTESY 

Salute all officers even though you 
think they do not see you. You 
will find as a rule that they will 
see you and will promptly return 
your salute. If they do not see you, 
you have proved yourself a more 
wide-awake soldier than the officer 
who fails to observe and return your 
salute. 

You naturally ask, "When is it 
proper to omit the salute?" but be- 
fore passing to that question, let 
us adopt the motto "Safety First," 
and the rule, "When in doubt, salute." 
If you then make a mistake, and 
salute when you should not, you will 
find that the censure you will receive, 
if any, will be very mild. The 
average officer is not offended when 
he is saluted, though the occasion 
be inappropriate. Remember that 
the general rule is : 

"Salutes shall be exchanged be- 
tween officers and enlisted men on 
every occasion of their meeting, 
passing near or being addressed, 
the officer junior in rank or the 



SALUTE — IN GENERAL 43 

enlisted man saluting first" (A. 

R. 382, Sub. 1.) 
The Salute Must Be Omitted: 

By prisoners, who are deprived of 
the privilege of saluting. (Man. I. 
G. D., 253.) They stand at atten- 
tion. (Man. I. G. D., 287.) 
The Salute May Be Omitted : 

1. In public conveyances; or 2. In 
public places when palpably inappro- 
priate or apt to disturb or annoy 
civilians present. (A. R. 384, Sub. 3.) 

Examples of the above are rail- 
way trains, street cars, theatres, 
restaurants, and hotels. Bear in 
mind that the salute may only be 
omitted when it is palpably inappro- 
priate, or apt to disturb or annoy 
civilians. You must use your judg- 
ment and resolve any doubt in favor 
of the salute. 
The Salute is Not Rendered : 

1. At work (unless spoken to). 
(A. R. 382, Sub. 3.) 

2. At drill. (A. R. 382, Sub. 1.) 

3. At games. (A. R. 382, Sub. 1.) 



44 MILITARY COURTESY 

4. At mess (if officers enter, men 
will remain seated, but stop eating, 
and maintain silence). (A. R. 382, 
Sub. 2.) 

5. In a room; unless spoken to. 
If an officer enters a room occupied 
by enlisted men, the first man per- 
ceiving him calls "attention/' when 
all rise, uncover and remain stand- 
ing at attention until he leaves.) 
(A. R. 382, Sub. 2.) 

6. Repeated occasions. Should an 
officer work with an enlisted man in- 
doors or outdoors and remain in the 
same place, the man would salute 
when first addressed, and again 
salute immediately thereafter, but 
would not continually repeat the 
salute during the progress of the 
work, or while remaining in the 
same place. (A. R. 382, Sub. 3.) 

7. On the march (but they may be 
called to attention). (A. R. 388.) 

8. Marching, at double time, trot 
or gallop. (If a soldier out of form- 
ation is running, he comes down to 



SALUTE — FINE POINTS 45 

the walk and salutes.) (A. R. 379.) 

9. In trenches (but they may be 
called to attention). (A. R. 379.) 

10. In a military formation. (If 
an officer addresses a man in forma- 
tion, the man does not salute but 
comes to attention if he be at ease 
or rest.) (A. R. 383, Sub. 5.) 

11. Sentinels on post when the 
salute interferes with their duties. 
(A. R. 386.) 

12. Troops on service of security. 
(A. R. 388.) 

13. In the field under campaign or 
simulated campaign conditions. (A. 
R. 388.) 

14. By officers meeting each other 
indoors, unless making or receiving 
official reports. (A. R. 381.) 

SALUTE — FINE POINTS. 

Some nice questions have arisen 
regarding the salute. 

1. Should officers reporting in- 
doors salute? Yes. In reporting or 
receiving reports, they should always 



46 MILITARY COURTESY 

salute. On other occasions, officers 
do not usually salute each other in- 
doors. (A. R. 381.) Par. 381 has 
been construed so as to permit the 
omission of the salute when report- 
ing indoors. But that is not the gen- 
erally accepted construction. 

2. If officers meet indoors or on 
other occasions when a salute may 
not be appropriate, should they greet 
each other verbally? Yes, Brig. Gen. 
R. K. Evans has said in G. 0. issued 
to his command: 

"In the presence of a superior, 
if a salute is proper, make it; if 
circumstances are such that a mili- 
tary salute is not appropriate, use 
one of the usual forms of court- 
eous salutation; and if not ac- 
quainted with the superior and 
it is possible without being dis- 
courteous, introduce yourself or 
get a mutual acquaintance, to 
introduce you. Go out of your 
way to be courteous." 

"Wilfully ignoring the presence 



SALUTE — FINE POINTS 47 

of a superior is a flagrant dis- 
courtesy of which no officer should 
be guilty. Superiors are invaria- 
bly glad to make the acquaintance 
of juniors and juniors should not 
be deterred by diffidence or indeci- 
sion from comporting themselves 
as their gentlemanly instincts dic- 
tate they should. Juniors, in in- 
troducing themselves, should be 
careful to clearly pronounce their 
names, and state the organization 
to which they belong. Seniors in 
reciprocating should avoid indif- 
ference and show the juniors their 
courtesy is appreciated. Servility 
and courtesy are far apart, and 
the former is not desired. The 
obligation on the part of seniors 
to return the salutation in the 
form and manner prescribed is 
even more binding than that rest- 
ing on the juniors to make it — and 
failure to do so on their part is 
a more serious and culpable in- 
fraction of and injury to discipline 



48 MILITARY COURTESY 

and comradeship than when com- 
mitted by inexperience. Greetings 
should be full, free and frank 
recognition of gentlemen by gen- 
tlemen, conforming to military 
usage when appropriate; and jun- 
iors should not, if the least doubt 
exists, presume seniors remember 
them from a previous casual meet- 
ing, but should re-introduce them- 
selves." 

3. Should enlisted men salute offi- 
cers when passing on stairways and 
in halls? They should either (a) 
salute or (b) halt and stand at atten- 
tion, permitting the officer to pass. 
The only reference in Regulations is 
to the entrance by an officer into a 
room, when the man stands at atten- 
tion. (A. R. 382, Sub. 2.) Follow- 
ing Regulations strictly, men should 
salute in halls and on stairways. But 
if the hall or stairway be narrow, 
common sense dictates that the men 
should stand at attention sideways, 
and thus make room for the officer 



SALUTE — FINE POINTS 49 

to pass. The salute might obstruct 
the passage with the elbow. There 
is ample precedence for either pro- 
cedure, and this matter, as doubt- 
less other matters, are often decided 
at different posts by the ruling of 
the C. 0. and an order on the sub- 
ject. 

4. Should an enlisted man, seated 
in an automobile and thus unable to 
rise, salute an officer who is walk- 
ing, and should an enlisted man 
walking salute an officer riding? 
(A. R. 406, Sub. 6.) 

5. Should enlisted men and officers 
salute ladies or raise their hats. They 
should salute. It is desirable to 
establish a uniform custom in this 
regard, and many considerations 
favor the salute. For many years 
(but not at present), regulations re- 
quired that ladies be saluted. In 
most armies the salute is required. 
It is more military. The ladies 
like the soldiers and all things mili- 
tary and appreciate the honor of the 



50 MILITARY COURTESY 

salute. Of course, if you meet ladies 
and then stop to talk to them, salute 
them first and then hold your hat in 
hand while talking to them, if you 
so desire. But it would be more 
military to keep the hat continually 
on the head, if outdoors. 

THE SALUTE WITH RIFLE AND SABER. 

A soldier under arms salutes with 
the weapon with which he is armed, 
and not with the hand. (A. R. 383, 
Sub. 1.) 

With the rifle he would execute 
the rifle salute at "right shoulder 
arms" or at "trail" or "order arms." 
(I. D. R., 93 and 94.) On sentry 
duty, however, he would salute by 
presenting arms. (Man. I. G. D., 
175 and 178.) A sentry armed with 
pistol salutes with right hand. (Man. 
I. G. D., 175.) 

With saber the salute is rendered 
by presenting saber. (Sig. Cps., D. 
R. 1235.) In the Signal Corps offi- 
cers are armed with the saber (Sig. 



THE .SALUTE WITH RIFLE 51 

Cps., D. R. 1229), but enlisted men 
with pistols. (Sig. Cps., D. R. 112.) 
The enlisted men salute with the 
hand. (Sig. Cps., D. R. 1138, 1153, 
1157, 1206, 1257 and 1263.) 

As for the consideration of Cere- 
monies, Salutes with Cannon, Visits 
and Courtesies and Escorts of Honor, 
you will find them prescribed in A. R., 
375 to 440, I. D. R., 708-744 and 
758-765. Manual I. G. D., 222-237, 
and 347-367, and Signal Corps, D. 
R., 1123-1120, 1239-1265. 

Military courtesy is nothing more 
than good manners adapted to 
army conditions and it is something 
which comes without effort only 
from men who by nature or training 
are courteous in civil life. 

To those who have not yet ac- 
quired this gift — for such it is — it 
may not be superfluous to quote a 
few remarks on the subject of man- 
ners which have been made by var- 
ious men of note. 



52 MILITARY COURTESY 

"Good manners are the settled 
medium of social as specie is of com- 
mercial life; returns are expected 
from both and people will no more 
advance their civility to a bear than 
their money to a bankrupt." — Lord 
Chesterfield. 

"I don't believe in the goodness of 
disagreeable people." — Oliver Dewey. 

"Men, like bullets, go farther when 
they are smoothest." — Richter. 

"Life is not so short but there is 
always time for courtesy." — Ralph 
Waldo Emerson. 

"As charity covers a multitude of 
sins before God, so does politeness 
before men." — Greville. 

"Better were it to be unborn than 
to be ill bred."— Sir Walter Raleigh. 

"Virtue itself offends when 
coupled with disagreeable manners." 
— Bishop Middleton. 

"There is no policy like polite- 
ness." — Bulwer. 

"The courtesies of a small, trivial 
character are the ones which strike 



MILITARY COURTESY 53 

deepest to the grateful heart. It 
is the picayune compliments which 
are most appreciated." — Henry Clay. 

"Politeness is like an air cushion. 
There may be nothing in it, but 
eases our jolts wonderfully." — Dr. 
Johnson. 

"A good manner often succeeds 
where the best tongue has failed." — 
Magoon. 

"A polite man is one who listens 
with interest to things he knows all 
about when they are told him by a 
person who knows nothing about 
them." — DeMorny. 

"Good manners is the art of mak- 
ing those people easy with whom we 
converse. Whoever makes the few- 
est persons uneasy is the best bred 
man in the company." — Dean Swift. 

"Good manners are the small coin 
of virtue." — Anonymous. 

"Manners are minor morals." — 
Paley. 

"Defect in manners is usually the 



54 MILITARY COURTESY 

defect of fine perceptions." — Emer- 
son. 

"Pride, ill nature and want of 
sense, are the three great sources of 
bad manners." — Dean Swift. 

Whistler the artist, was speaking 
on the subject of French politeness 
when someone said, "Oh, French 
politeness is all on the surface." 

"Is not that where it should be?" 
replied Whistler. 

In the course of an address de- 
livered by the late Mrs. Russell Sage, 
she said, "I commend to you from 
my experience of life, the cultivation 
of good manners — and sound com- 
mon sense. Character is a perfectly 
educated will." 



MILITARY INSIGNIA 



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U?utgnant Colonel Cofor 




Captain 1st Lieutenant 

Army Officers Rank Insignia 



These Cuts from "Our Army and How to Know It.' 
Courtesy of Munn & Co., Publishers. 




NEW ARMY INSIGNIA 

1. Cut-out for officers in tank service. 2. Button to be worn on 
left side of collar by enlisted men in tank service. 3. Cut-out for 
officer interpreter. 4. Button for enlisted man interpreter. 5. Col- 
lar button for enlisted men in the Corps of Intelligence Police. 
6. Device for military aeronaut. 7. Observer's device. 8. Machine- 
gun battalion, button for left side of collar, enlisted men. 9. Offi- 
cer's cut-out for collar, Machine-gun Battalion. 10. Button for 
right side of collar, enlisted men, Machine-gun Battalion. 11. Offi- 
cer's cut-out for Chemical Service. 12. Button for left side of col- 
lar, enlisted men Chemical service. 13. Field clerks of the Quar- 
termaster's Corps. 14. Field Clerks of the Adjutant-General's De- 
partment. 15. Button for trench mortar men. 16. Button for col- 
lar for enlisted men in all Division Trains. 17. Button for right 
side of collar for enlisted men in Anti-Aircraft Artillery. 18. But- 
ton for collar for enlisted men of the Medical Corps in all branches, 
i. e., Ambulance Corps, Dental Corps, Veterinary Corps, and Sani- 
tary Corps. 



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Army Officers' Collar Ornaments 

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Adjutant Quartermaster 

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